Manny Machado says his suspension appeal hearing Wednesday 'was fair'

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado had his suspension appeal hearing Wednesday at the team’s offices in the Warehouse, and he said he thought it went well.

Now he’ll wait to hear whether his five-game suspension for throwing a bat during the Orioles-Oakland Athletics game June 8 will be reduced.

“We’ll just wait, wait and see. See where it takes us,” Machado said. “At this point, there’s nothing to talk about.”

Machado said the hearing, which lasted about an hour, was held before Joe Garagiola Jr., baseball’s senior vice president of standards and on-field operations. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, Machado’s agent and a union representative were also present, Machado said. There was no umpire representation present.

“I think it was fair. We both came to the table and said what we had to say and got it done. I think it went well, and we made our case,” Machado said. “It was fairly easy. You just bring back bad memories that I kind of left in the past. But, other than that, it went well.”

The Orioles hope Machado isn’t suspended for Friday’s doubleheader against the the Tampa Bay Rays, though manager Buck Showalter knows it’s a possibility.

“Their call completely,” Showalter said. “I know where it would be most hurtful, so, I don’t know, maybe that’s what they’ll do.”

Machado threw his bat June 8 after the second consecutive pitch in which Athletics reliever Fernando Abad threw inside. Machado’s bat landed beyond third base, and though he initially claimed it was an accident, Machado later apologized for the incident.

The bad blood with the Athletics began two days earlier, when Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson tagged Machado, who fell to the ground and then began yelling at Donaldson because he thought the tag was too aggressive. Benches cleared in both incidents. Abad was fined, while Machado was fined and suspended five games.

Based on precedent — the Boston Red Sox’s Trot Nixon was suspended four games in 2002 for throwing his bat toward the pitcher — Machado and the Orioles believe his suspension should be reduced.

“Overall case. I didn’t throw the bat at anybody. And that’s it. All the other cases that have gotten suspended have been when they go ahead and intentionally throw the bat at the person,” Machado said. “So, you know, we’ll just wait. I don’t want to jinx anything. I just want to try and get as least games as possible.”